Junction safety review welcomed by residents

Campaigners have welcomed moves to address speeding issues on the Ellon bypass.

Published:07:00Friday 05 September 2014

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Campaigners have welcomed confirmation that police and council roads officials are to review speeding issues on a section of the Ellon bypass.

They are to examine options for improvements at the busy Golf Road junction.

In January this year, an online petition was set up in a bid to reduce the speed limit on the A948 and gathered more than 130 signatures.

Residents voiced concern that the amount of traffic on the road had increased significantly, particularly from residential areas that have been developed and also from the expanding industrial estate.

Petition organiser, Mara Sturton, told the Times this week: “Any review of this area of the A948 is a positive step towards the safety of Ellon families. This is great news.”

The move were also welcomed last week by Ellon and District Councillor Gillian Owen, who has been a long-running campaigner for safety improvements on the road.

Mrs Owen had contacted police and council officers for an update on the road.

Police checked the latest statistics and found that a number of accidents had occurred, in particular at the Golf Road junction, and they confirmed that with this new information they would be reviewing that stretch of road.

Councillor Owen was also told by Aberdeenshire Council that their road safety unit would look at options for the junction.

A council spokesperson said: “Aberdeenshire Council is aware of the issues highlighted on the A948.

“We will be considering what options are available to address the causes of accidents and are investigating how to improve visibility at the Golf Road junction.

“However, speed limits across the country are set using national criteria laid out by the Department of Transport and the council is required to follow this directive.

“The A948 Ellon to Auchnagatt road has been built to 60mph standard and does not meet the conditions for the introduction of a reduced speed limit.”

Ellon Community Council have also supported efforts over recent years to have the speed limit reduced. They have expressed particular concern about the Knockothie junction.